Page 103 of State of Alert

“Your business is happening right in front of me.”

“When is he going to get a girlfriend?” Sam asked Nick.

“Any day now, and I can’t wait.”

“Me either. Where’s my mom?” Her mom, Brenda, had been filling in with the kids after school while Celia was on her trip.

“Out for dinner with her girlfriends,” Nick said.

“Ah, okay.” She leaned in to see what they were eating. “What’s for dinner?”

“Chicken,” Scotty said with a grin.

Sam sputtered with laughter. “Oh damn.” She took a seat next to Nick and helped herself to roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green beans and a bit of gravy while trying not to think about carbs or calories. “How was everyone’s day besides the paste incident?”

“I got an eighty-two on my algebra quiz,” Scotty said.

“Holy crap,” Sam said. “That’s amazing!”

“I thought so, too. I was kinda shocked, actually.”

“I would be, too. I think a sixty-five was my high score in algebra.”

“Sam.”

“What? It’s true.”

Nick’s expression conveyed disapproval even as a smile tugged at his lips.

“He doesn’t want you telling me how mediocre you were in school,” Scotty said.

Nick pointed to Scotty. “That. Exactly that.”

“Why? It’s the truth, and it wasn’t my fault. I was battling dyslexia, and no one knew that. I was thrilled to get a sixty-five under those conditions.”

“What’s dys… dys… lexa?” Aubrey asked.

“Dyslexia. It’s a learning disorder that makes reading difficult.”

“Do I have that?” she asked.

“No, my love, you do not have it. You’re an awesome reader.”

Aubrey beamed with pleasure at the compliment. “Do you still have dys… dys… What is it again?”

“Dyslexia. Yes, I’ll always have it. Reading is a struggle for me, especially when I’m tired. That’s why I prefer audiobooks and let you guys read to me.”

“I prefer audiobooks, too,” Scotty said. “Especially for things likeTheCanterbury Tales.” He shuddered. “Horrendous.”

“You were supposed toreadthat, Scotty,” Nick said. “Not listen.”

“I did both at the same time. It helped me survive it, as did the CliffsNotes thingies Mom got me.”

“I suppose that’s okay, then.”

“It’s all about survival in the eighth grade, Dad.”

Nick, who’d been a rock-star student, laughed at the face Scotty made. “Oh, the drama.”

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